SNAFU, Situation Normal All Forces United in Veterans Court: From the Perspective of a California Court of Appeal Justice and Mentor

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article by a California Court of Appeal justice presents her perspectives and experiences in a Veterans Treatment Court (VTC). She volunteered as a mentor in a Veterans Treatment Court every week for nine years. From her unique perspective, she compares what happens in a VTC with what goes on in a typical criminal court. Her experience as a mentor demonstrates the lack of connection between mentors and the collaborative team. The author describes the VTC process, how laws dictate much of what happens within a VTC, how veteran/defendants react to the process, and what still needs to be done.